We describe a fluorescent cell-based in vitro infection model that reproduces host-Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) interactions. Using the epithelial cell line A6 from Xenopus laevis, we reproduced different stages of host cell infection and intracellular growth of Bd, resulting in host cell

Last updated on: 10-01-2020 - 15:28

Contact: Elin Verbrugghe
Organisation: Ghent University (UGent)
Status: Published in peer reviewed journal
We have successfully set-up the iPSC technology and are able to derive human cortical neurons for the study of neurodevelopmental disorders e.g. the MECP2 duplication syndrome (published) and other projects in the lab (ongoing). We also create isogenic lines using CrispR-Cas technology. All lines

Last updated on: 07-01-2020 - 15:23

Contact: Hilde Van Esch
Organisation: Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KUL)
Status: Still in development, History of use, Published in peer reviewed journal
The ex-vivo endothelium-stent contact model allows measuring the impact of implants on the arterial tissue. The endothelium is directly exposed by inserting a wire made of the investigated material into the lumen of the aortic ring to mimic the contact between the coronary stent and the endothelium.

Last updated on: 03-12-2019 - 17:23

Organisation: Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL)
Partners: Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL)
Status: Internally validated
The cytokinesis-block micronucleus method allows assessing the presence of DNA damage at the chromosome level. It is an essential part of toxicology, because mutation is a crucial event in carcinogenesis. The capacity of inhaled particles to induce irreversible mutations in type II lung epithelial

Last updated on: 26-11-2019 - 17:35

Organisation: Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL)
Status: Validated by an external party (e.g. OECD, EURL ECVAM,…)
The BALB/c-derived - 4T1 mammary tumor cell line and RAW264.7 macrophage cell line were maintained in Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle’s Medium (DMEM) supplemented with 10% heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum (FBS), 100 U/ml penicillin and 100 μg/ml streptomycin in culture flasks. Harvesting of cultured

Last updated on: 26-11-2019 - 13:12

Contact: Kristel Demeyere
Organisation: Ghent University (UGent)
Status: Published in peer reviewed journal
The hemolysis assay remarkably predicts the inflammatory potential of inhaled particles. The capacity of particles to damage cellular membranes is a key property to predict their inflammatory potential upon inhalation. In macrophages and epithelial cells exposed to particles, alteration of the

Last updated on: 15-11-2019 - 16:15

Contact: Dominique Lison
Organisation: Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL)
Status: History of use, Internally validated, Published in peer reviewed journal
TEM, NTA and western blot were used to characterize the purified inflammation‐associated EV subpopulations from TNF-α treated HUVEC based on their sedimentation speeds (10K and110K) and surface markers (CDs and ICAM-1). Protein arrays were used to discover the immunomodulatory content of

Last updated on: 14-11-2019 - 14:02

Organisation: University of Hasselt (UHasselt)
Status: Published in peer reviewed journal, Currently submitted for further validation by an external party (e.g. OECD, EURL ECVAM,…)
FIBEr (Flanders Institute for Biomechanical Experimentation) is a laboratory that investigates the mechanical properties (stiffness, strength, microstructure) of biological tissue, in casu bones, muscles, ligaments, blood vessels, etc. A quantitative characterization of the mechanical behavior of

Last updated on: 12-11-2019 - 11:45

Contact: Nele Famaey
Organisation: Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KUL)
Partners: Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KUL)
Status: Still in development, History of use, Internally validated
Integrated approach for the characterization,validation and monitoring of protein biomarkers in animal tissue samples as well as on human tissue samples. The ''cell-block'' technique allows the study of cell lines with the same approach. The methodology involves histological and standardized

Last updated on: 12-11-2019 - 11:37

Contact: Cédric Balsat
Organisation: Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB)
Partners: Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB)
Status: Published in peer reviewed journal
Epigenetics have taken centre stage in the study of diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and neurodegeneration. A new field is emerging that targets epigenetic modifications for therapeutic intervention: pharmacoepigenetics. Particularly in oncology, inhibitors of epigenetic-modifying proteins, i.e.

Last updated on: 12-11-2019 - 11:34

Contact: Maarten Dhaenens
Organisation: Ghent University (UGent)
Status: Still in development, Internally validated, Published in peer reviewed journal